Mesut Ozil says his partnerships with Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla are going from strength to strength as the trio grow more accustomed to each others’ game.
Reflecting that his Spanish and Chilean teammates appear to be on the same wavelength as him, the club’s record signing bigged up the quality both men bring to the side.
“[Santi and Alexis] are the type of players that, like myself, think before things happen on the pitch,” the World Cup winner told Arsenal Player.
“Especially with Santi, you can see that he’s playing such an outstanding season for the team and he’s so important for us.
“When you look at the whole squad, it doesn’t matter if the manager rotates slightly because we can compete as a team, no matter who is playing. That’s a big plus for us and that’s why we’re near the top of the league.
“[My partnership with Alexis is] progressing really well, and you can see that in our matches. He’s really important for the team and that shows with the goals – he’s scored a lot of goals this season.
“You can see it in training too – I look for him when I have the ball because he makes those runs. For that reason, we’re happy to have a player like that in our ranks.”
The German midfielder also underlined how much he’s enjoying life in England, pointing at the busy schedule as a real boon.
“I needed to familiarise myself with the Premier League, because it’s very intensive here. There are a lot of what we call ‘English weeks’ in Germany – where you play twice, and there’s no winter break either.
“It’s demanding because you don’t have many breaks to recover, but as a footballer it’s great to have so many games and I’m the sort of player who prefers playing in many matches – that’s why I fit perfectly here.”
Sounds good, though Sanchez hasn’t scored much when Ozil is on the pitch, yet.
If that partnership can take off the sky is the limit!
I think that might have more to do with Alexis’ recent downturn in form (in front of goal at least). From what I’ve seen there is already a good understanding between the two and had Alexis been a bit sharper in the last few weeks their partnership could have produced bags of goals.
already happened a couple of times mate.
Good, though I’d still stand by ‘hasn’t scored much’ given the number of games they have played together.
yeah but others have. all good 🙂
Carzola – Giroud axis must not be underestimated. I will love to see the Carzozil axis flourish too.
Just FYI – it’s Cazorla, not Carzola.
For some reason Santi seems to have the most misspelled name on the team these days.
Jack wilshire/Wiltshire might have something to say about that. What santi does have, is the most mispronounced name.
IT’S NOT CATHORLA, YOU IDIOTS.
Actually, it is. He said as much when he came, but gave special dispensation to English people to ignore the Spanish pronunciation, he is a beneveloent master after all
Think Tim Stillman’s piece on both of them was good. Would like Alexis to start higher up the pitch and look to run in behind more. Let Ozil find you – like that goal against Galatasary!
This this this this this! Seems like Alexis is receiving the ball a lot deeper and having a lot more to do than he did before, if he gets higher up the pitch, makes ‘those’ runs then Mesut will find him all day long and we will be laughing our way to many trophies. Love how happy players seem at this current moment in the squad, harmony and not forgetting quality are the highest they’ve been in a while! Onwards and upwards COYG
It will only take Wenger 2 seasons to see what Tim seen in a few months
there was a piece mentioning the goalscoring and his companion on the left, he scores more with Gibbs as unlike Monreal who i do feel is better defensively and more useful in ball retention, Gibbs makes more runs for the the byline creating space for Alexis which obviously makes scoring easier. I would rotate Gibbs and Monreal depending on the positioning strengths and weaknesses of the opposition on that flank to determine whether the urge Monreal has to cut in or Gibbs’s desire to make for the byline would best suit the entire team, and secondly Alexis.
Pleases me too. Especially when we’re winning.
Özil brings so much to the side, both on and off the pitch, but the potential for what he and Alexis can achieve together is immense.
Our two Galacticos really are sensational.
Our “*Goonerz” bruh!
They’re goonerz now!
:/
I would be really happy if “real boon” was a direct quote.
Seems like there’s been a lot of Ozil interviews about how great his Arsenal teammates are in the past month or two. But before that, you’d rarely see him quoted on arsenal.com or the English press. Anyone know why this is? Is he more comfortable with his English now? Does he feel he’s settled into the team now? Is the club PR team pushing him to give these interviews (the coveted Djourou role)? Is he contractually obligated to do these after 18 months at the club? In any case, I’m happy to read these kind of quotes from him about… Read more »
Might have to a little to do with an upturn in form and fitness- for both him and the team – and people not slating him as much. When it’s hailstones the natural thing to do is take cover.
Why the heck did he play 90′ in both of Germany’s matches?
Because he’s really good and Germany would rather have him on the pitch than off it?
It’s not rocket science… 😉
He has a week rest now, and he didn’t play against newcastle so all god he will be 100% ready against liverpool, my worry is ramsey and welbz wee need both of them to be fit for liverpool game we had to win that one to push for second spot.
Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey, Carzola and Giroud have things to prove to us against Liverpool. This game is massive because it will almost ensure we finish top four and launch us for the top three battle. Our team has been very solid in the league in the last 10 games but to always fail when it matters the most is unacceptable.
Well some of those lads have already proved they’re the real deal by beating City and United away. But I agree that we don’t any have excuses if we lose at home against an injured Liverpool side.
we always play good against liverpool we beat them last year twice at emirates when they were on form of their life with exception at anfiled last year which saw our team collapsed. we almost beat them this year at anfield with half depleted squad, but we need players of the bench if the game is tight or we need a goal to close the game but i’m very confident that we will beat them. And after beating city and man utd away and with the great run we have i can see in the eyes of the players that… Read more »
But I’m Sol Campbell….
Well according to the latest irrefutable set of statistics to be published he’s the second best attacking midfielder in Europe, so something’s going right.
Ozil is overated my arse. The world cup winning coach and the best coach in premiership cannot both have it wrong to give him regular start. The guy is really good but you need to be able to read the game to see it ( which Robbie Savage can’t). He was involved in both German goals last night ffs. Sanchez? Well the guy needs restraining some time. He was all over Brazilians last night was unfortunate to lose. We have 2 of the bests in the world if you ask me
Ramsey will also be a key component of the midfield affording Santi to menace forward better in support of Ozil. Coquelin provides a steady base for them with Flamini (and now Arteta) as option. Alexis and Ox out wide should provide plenty of drive. Walcott if he can add his shooting boots can come in for good impact. At some point, we may also see Jack back to take up slack if need be. Midfield engine is looking good. I just wish we were able to control and close out games better. Last ten minutes, we should have the confidence… Read more »
If we take ur strategy, we either play with 3 defenders there, or without Giroud up top.
And I’ve forgotten we still have Rosicky!
The other player we may need to add is someone like Khedira or Gustavo. They have plenty of experience to replace Arteta but more importantly can bring some of the qualities we miss with Diaby.
The player that I feel is great value for money (and gave us a hard time CL) is Kondogbia. Good technically, plenty of strength and at22yrs plenty of upside.
Thought you said khedira and gustavo were “flavors of the month” and that arteta and flamini were better?? why the sudden change
Ozil is such a fantastic player. He’s brilliant for Arsenal, and he makes everyone around him better. When he, Cazorla, and Sanchez are all completely familiar with each other (and they’re nearly there now), our midfield will just rain goals. I’ve got a great feeling aboutthis team going forward. Second place this year, and the title next year. Come on you Gunners!
And Ramsey, a goal machine once he is 100%.
Thank you ! I just cannot understand how people forget the guy who single-handedly saved our season last year so fast. He lost form this year but has proven his quality more than most of the squad. Sure Wenger sees things differently than fans who called Ramsey, shit.
Ozil plays football as if it does not require any strenuous effort. Sanchez and Cazorla brings magic touch to football while Giroud executes. The defence is worthy of note here too for a job well done so far.
When you watch the match you don’t see Mesut Ozil. When you watch Mesut Ozil you see the whole match. Quality statement Pep.
I love that quote! But I’m worried it may not be true..
https://twitter.com/wilburAFC/status/578221553285890048/photo/1
https://www.facebook.com/afcfanatics/posts/430104103821821
So, who said what about whom?
Wow, we have Ozil plus a fact checker. Some fact twisters as well.
Thanks for that, has to be the best Ozil quote around! Pep was a player who ran games at his own tempo – it’s one smart motherfucker recognizing another.
In answer to some earlier comments, he played 90 twice for Germany because his manager is showing him complete faith. After many senior German players retired, his role in a young World Cup-winning team coping with huge expectation levels is crucial.
“[Santi and Alexis] are the type of players that, like myself, think before things happen on the pitch,”…
this is not a million miles away from Bergkamp’s (and le Prof’s) time and space ‘philosophy’…the best players are always at least 1 move ahead of the rest…
So much talent in one picture, even the camera struggles to focus.
http://www.football-observatory.com/IMG/pdf/wp105_eng.pdf
Ozil best attacking midfielder (joint with Eden Hazard) in Europe in 2015 –
Eat that paul scholes and all you nay saying cock suckers